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TAKING IT EASY – With star players such as running backs Dri Archer (ankle) and Trayion Durham (hip, quad) battling through injuries and other players dealing with their own bumps and bruises, KSU coach Darrell Hazell is taking it a little easier on his players in practice this week.

“We’ve been practicing for a long time, since August,” Hazell said. “The guys have been going at it since well before August. Now, it comes down to doing the things we’ve done all season. There’s nothing new, we just need to be fresh when we do it – that will help our chances.”

With Kent State’s dynamic rushing dou of Trayion Durham and Dri Archer hobbled but still toughing it out against visisiting Ohio, the Golden Flashes defense paved the way for the nation’s No. 23-ranked team to continue its march through this unexpected season of greatness.

The Kent State defense entered Friday’s game leading the nation in turnover margin (plus-20) and quickly showed why. In the first quarter, the unit scored two touchdowns off forced Bobcats turnovers - including a 50-yard fumble return by junior safety Luke Wollet - to spark the Flashes to a 28-6 win at Dix Stadium.

Kent State running back Dri Archer was named MAC East Player of the Week after torching Bowling Green in the Golden Flashes' 31-24 win on Saturday to secure the MAC East Title and a place in the MAC Championship game in Detroit, Mich.

Archer ran for a career-high 241 yards on only 17 carries, an average of 14.2 yards per attempt. He also had two dynamic touchdowns of over 70 yards, one of which being a highlight-reel 74-yarder and appeared on Sportscenter's Top-10 Plays. The run can be seen below.

Former Kent State guard Carlton "Scootie" Guyton was released from the NBDL's Erie BayHawks Thursday, only 13 days after he was selected in the 7th round of the draft, held on Nov. 2.

Update: After being released Thursday morning, Guyton is open to hearing from other NBDL teams and is also open to the idea of playing over seas, with Sweden being a primary option, he told the Beacon Journal. Guyton has spoken with former KSU point guard Mike Porrini, who is currently playing in Turkey, and has heard positive things.

Kent State running backs Dri Archer andTrayion Durham (Cincinnati) have both been named nominees for the Doak Walker Award that honors the nation’s best running back. Kent State is one of just five teams to have two running backs nominated for the award.

The lightning and thunder combo have been key to the Golden Flashes 8-1 overall start and perfect 5-0 Mid-American Conference record.

Kent State is showing interest in West Chester Lakota West senior linebacker Mike Kelly, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Kelly, one of Cincinnati’s top linebackers this season, is 6 feet 1 and 210 pounds. He has offers from Yale, Indiana State, Lafayette, Princeton, Brown and Villanova.